Extreme feeding behaviours in the Italian wall lizard, Podarcis siculus

In the present paper the occurrence of cannibalism, unusual predation on small reptiles [Hemidactylus turcicus (Reptilia, Gekkonidae)], and foraging on small mammal carrion [Suncus etruscus (Mammalia, Soricidae)] by P. siculus is reported

Genetic and morphological variation in a Mediterranean glacial refugium: evidence from Italian pygmy shrews, Sorex minutus (Mammalia: Soricomorpha)

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Drilling down hotspots of infraspecific diversity to bring them into on-ground conservation of threatened species

Unprecedented rates of biodiversity loss raise the urgency for preserving species ability to cope with ongoing global changes. An approach in this direction is to target intra-specific hotspots of genetic diversity as conservation priorities. However, these hotspots are often identified by sampling at a spatial resolution too coarse to be useful in practical management of threatened species, hindering the long-appealed dialog between conservation stakeholders and conservation genetic researchers. Here, we investigated the spatial and temporal variation in species presence, genetic diversity, as well as potential risk factors, within a previously identified hotspot of genetic diversity for the endangered Apennine yellow-bellied toad Bombina pachypus. Our results show that this hotspot is neither a geographically homogeneous nor a temporally stable unit. Over a time-window spanning 10–40 years since previous assessments, B. pachypus populations declined in large portions of their hotspot, and their genetic diversity levels decreased. Considering the demographic trend, genetic and epidemiological data, and models of current and future climatic suitability, populations at the extreme south of the hotspot area still qualify for urgent in-situ conservation actions, whereas northern populations would be better managed through a mix of in-situ and ex-situ actions. Our results emphasize that identifying hotspots of genetic diversity, albeit an essential step, does not suffice to warrant on-ground conservation of threatened species. Hotspots should be analyzed at finer geographic and temporal scales, to provide conservation stakeholders with key knowledge to best define conservation priorities, and to optimize resource allocation to alternative management practices

No association between candidate genes for color determination and color phenotype in Hierophis viridiflavus, and characterization of a contact zone

Genetic and phenotypic differentiation in allopatric conditions can be explained either by neutral phenomena or adaptative processes driven by selection. In reptiles, coloration can affect aspects directly related to their survival, representing a classical character under selection. In this context, secondary contact areas are natural laboratory to understand evolutionary processes underlying genetic permeability, especially when populations differ in phenotypic traits such as coloration. The western whip snake Hierophis viridiflavus presents two divergent mitochondrial clades, characterized by the presence of one of two main color phenotypes, namely one with black and yellow stripes and a fully melanic one. Here, we investigated whether melanogenesis-linked genes are determinant of the chromatic differences observed across the phenotypic variation of the species. In addition, we used a multilocus dataset, including 134 original ND4 sequences, to better define the overall genetic structure and to provide a characterization of a contact zone identified in Central Italy by estimating the amount of nuclear gene exchange. While we found no evidence supporting a direct association between target genes and coloration, a non-synonymous substitution polymorphism, at high frequency, was detected in the β melanocyte-stimulating hormone whose possible function has been discussed. Concerning the genetic structure, both mtDNA and nuDNA were partly concordant indicating introgression events occurring at the contact zone. When we measured the nuclear gene flow, we found a significant amount of gene exchange, mainly guided from one clade to the other, that is, asymmetric. These results might suggest the presence of ecological and/or behavioral processes driving the observed directional gene flow

VKORC1 mutation in European populations of Rattus norvegicus with first data for Italy and the report of a new amino acid substitution.

In the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, anticoagulant rodenticide resistance is mainly associated with mutations in the third exon of the Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 (VKORC1). Identification of the resistant wild populations is very important to improve the control practices and to limit the damages due to inadequate use of the anticoagulant rodenticide. In this study, we determined the distribution of the third exon mutations in poorly investigated areas of Africa, Europe and the Middle East. In particular, we investigated the phenomenon for the first time in the Italian peninsula. We obtained sequences of the third exon for 133 Norway rats from 37 localities in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. For additional analysis, we retrieved information in literature on amino acid substitution in 1136 third exon sequences of Norway rats from Europe, the Far East, North America and South America. However, we found third exon mutations only in Europe and the Far East with the Y139F mutation shared between the two areas. Europe has the higher number of mutant individuals and Y139C mutation prevails. In Italy, we found a single missense mutation (I123S) in a Venetian locality. This homozygote mutation, is not know in literature to be associated with resistance, but it is very similar to a mutation that confers resistance in humans (I123N). This similarity and its high local frequency makes it a good candidate for future testing. Our results provide useful data to better understand the resistance phenomenon and to plan targeted control actions

On the taxonomy and distribution of <em>Crocidura cossyrensis</em> and <em>Crocidura russula</em> (Insectivora, Soricidae) in Maghreb

<strong>Abstract</strong> The paper examines the taxonomic status of North African <em>Crocidura russula Auctorum</em>. On the basis of morphological data, the taxon needs to be divided into at least two species: <em>C. russula</em> (Hermann, 1780) from western Europe, coastal Morocco and middle-western Algeria, up to about the Algiers area, and possibly even Sardinia and Ibiza, and another species, distributed in coastal middle-eastern Algeria, Tunisia, Pantelleria and, possibly, La Galite archipelago. The first and only available name for the above, eastern taxon is <em>Crocidura cossyrensis</em> Contoli, 1989

Free-ranging population of the Finlayson's squirrel <em>Callosciurus finlaysonii</em> (Horsfield, 1824) (Rodentia, Sciuridae) in South Italy

<strong>Riassunto</strong> <strong>Popolazione di scoiattolo di Finlayson <em>Callosciurus finlaysonii</em> (Horsfield, 1824) (Rodentia, Sciuridae) introdotta in Sud Italia</strong> Il rilascio, a metà degli anni '80, di 3-4 coppie di scoiattolo di Finlayson (<em>Callosciurus finlaysonii</em>) è all'origine della popolazione che attualmente colonizza tutta la fascia costiera tirrenica della Basilicata e un breve tratto di quella della Campania. È questa la seconda popolazione Europea della specie e la prima in ambiente naturale. Dopo una fase iniziale di incremento lieve, l'espansione della popolazione è stata rapidissima e, attualmente, interessa circa 26 Km² di territorio, con forte rischio di colonizzazione dei boschi di latifoglie dell'interno. Sono stati accertati rilevanti danni alla vegetazione per la rimozione di parti più o meno estese di corteccia dagli alberi

Predation on dormice in Italy

<strong>Abstract</strong> The authors analyse available data on the impact of predators on Dormouse populations in Italy. Dormice are found in the diet of 2 snakes (<em>Vipera berus</em> and <em>V. aspis</em>), 2 diurnal birds of prey (<em>Buteo bute</em>o and <em>Aquila chrysaetos</em>), 6 owls (<em>Tyto alba</em>, <em>Strix aluco</em>, <em>Asio otus</em>, <em>Athene noctua</em>, <em>Bubo bubo</em> and <em>Glaucidium passerinum</em>) and 9 mammals (<em>Rattus rattus</em>, <em>Ursus arctos</em>, <em>Canis lupus</em>, <em>Vulpes vulpes</em>, <em>Martes martes</em>, <em>M. foina</em>, <em>Meles meles</em>, <em>Felis silvestris</em> and <em>Sus scrofa</em>) in a variable percentage of the prey taken. Only <em>Dryomys nitedula</em> was never encountered as a prey item. The most common prey is <em>Muscardinus avellanarius</em>. There are significative regional differences in predation between bioclimatic areas of the Italian peninsula. The contribution of studies on predation to knowledge of Myoxid distribution is discussed. <strong>Riassunto</strong> <strong>Predazione di Mioxidi in Italia</strong> - Sono analizzati i dati pubblicati sull'impatto dei predatori sulle popolazioni di Myoxidae in Italia. Myoxidae sono stati riscontrati nelle diete di 2 serpenti (<em>Vipera berus</em> e <em>V. aspis</em>), 2 rapaci diurni (<em>Buteo buteo</em> e <em>Aquila chrysaetos</em>), 6 notturni (<em>Tyto alba</em>, <em>Strix aluco</em>, <em>Asio otus</em>, <em>Athene noctua</em>, <em>Bubo bubo</em> e <em>Glaucidium passerinum</em>) e 9 mammiferi (<em>Rattus rattus</em>, <em>Ursus arctos</em>,<em> Canis lupus</em>, <em>Vulpes vulpes</em>, <em>Martes martes</em>, <em>M foina</em>, <em>Meles meles</em>, <em>Felis silvestris</em> e <em>Sus scrofa</em>) in percentuale variabile nella comunità di prede. Solo <em>Dryomys nitedula</em> non è mai stato incontrato come preda. La specie piu comunemente predata risulta <em>Muscardinus avellanarius</em>. Sono discusse le significative differenze di predazione per aree bioclimaticamente diverse e l'apporto dello studio delle predazioni alle conoscenze sulla distribuzione dei Myoxidae in Italia